Game apparatus having selectively movable cover elements for progressively exposing portions of a puzzle



Nov. 12, 1963 B. BOESKOOL 3,110,499

GAME APPARATUS HAVING SELECTIVELY MOVABLE COVER ELEMENTS FORPROGRESSIV'ELY EXPOSING PORTIONS OF A PUZZLE Filed Dec. 4, 1961 AIECIEEI ME+ E E Elli: 84

' INVENTOR. EZRA/l6? 1. 505571001.

United States Patent GAME APPARATUS HAVING SELECTEVELY MOV- ABLE CST/ERELEMENTS FGR PROGRETVELY EXPOING PQRTIONS 0F A PUZZLE Bernice L.Boesirool, 6631 Cascade Road SE, Grand Rapids, Mich. Filed Dec. 4,1.)61, Ser. No. 157,312 9 Claims. (-01. 273-136) This invention relatesto games, and more particularly to a game concept and structure capableof transforming the learning of informative facts and correlations fromany desirable field of knowledge into an enjoyable and challengingprocess.

The process of mastering basic informative facts and correlations in anyfield of knowledge often constitutes mere drudgery to the personsinvolved, especially children. Ordinary reading and learning processesoften fail to provide the stimulus to children, who would rather beplaying a game, for example. Of course, children must learn certainfacts to play games also, but this is considered by them to be mere funrather than drudgery due to the challenge and entertainment whichaccompany games.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a game and gamestructure enabling the players, especially children, to be entertainedand challenged while mastering basic facts and correlations in a fieldof knowledge. It is another object of this invention to provide such agame which is readily adaptable to any desired field of knowledge,thereby making the learning process interesting for many fields such asreligion, science, history, etc. The game not only stimulatesmemorization, but also is capable of developing reasoning ability duringthe playing process. by applying elementary informative material to thebasic structure, or may be adapted to adult level by utilizing moreadvanced material. The game is compact and necessitates no loose partsduring playing, thereby being ideal for automobile trips as well as homeuse. The game is moreover relatively simple to manufacture.

These and other objects of the invention will be apparent from a studyof the following specification in conjunction with the drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred form of the game;

FIG. 2 is an end elevational view of the game illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view of one of theinformation-bearing plates in the game of FIG. 1, and the cover meansfor the plate positioned in the covering position;

FIG. 4 is aside elevational sectional view of the structure in FIG. 3with the cover means raised to expose the information on the plate;

PEG. 5 is a side elevation view of the structure in FIGS. 3 and 4 withthe cover to a third position causing the plate to be rotated and raisedto reveal part of an underlying visual puzzle;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a typical set of information tabs and visualpuzzle sheet for the game;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of another typical set of information tabs andvisual puzzle sheet for the game; and

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a typical correlative visual scoring sheet forthe game.

Basically, the game comprises the combination of a plurality ofintercorrelated information-bearing elements normally covering andhiding a visual puzzle or scoring sheet, with portions of the sheetbeing progressively uncoverable during playing, upon the formation ofcorrelations between the information bearers. The sheet is sup- The gamemay be entertaining for children 3,110,499 Patented Nov. 12, 1963 portedby a platform, along both sides of which the information-bearingelements or plates are movably mounted from a first position coveringportions of the sheet to a second position uncovering portions of thesheet. The plates are preferably pivotally mounted on rods supported andelevated slightly above and adjacent the side edges of the platform.Each plate includes a cover means which is movable to uncover theinformation on a tab retained by the plate. These covers are preferablypivotally attached to the mentioned rods. The covers preferably arecapable of causing the pivoting of the individual plates themselves.Further features of the inventive games will be apparent upon readingthe detailed description to follow.

Referring now to FIG. 1, in the form of the invention illustrated, game10 includes a flat platform means 11 on the ends of which are mountedsuitable vertical supports 12 and 14. Inserted through these supports isa pair of rod elements 1'6 and 18 positioned adjacent opposite sides ofplatform 11, and elevated slightly above it. Upon these rods arepivotally mounted in mirror image fashion two rows ofinformation-bearing elements 20, each of which includes a plate 24capable of receiving and retaining an information tab 26, and a cover 22provided with an identifying indicia such as a numeral.

Each of the plates 24 is preferably formed from a piece of sheet metalhaving the sides bent upwardly in a parallel fashion. Other materialsmay of course be substituted. A portion of these sidewalls are deformedinwardly toward each other to define a pair of facing slots or grooves39 and 32 capable of receiving and retaining the information-bearing tab26. Plates 24 may be moved pivotally from a first position covering a'portion of the platform 11 and a puzzle or scoring sheet placed thereon,to a second position uncovering that same portion. The several platesthereby collectively cover the entire sheet when in the first position.

The visual puzzle sheets (see alternate sheets 50 and 52 in FIGS. 6 and7) may be retained on platform 11, as one example, by a pair of facingelongated channel guides 36 and 38. Alternatively, they may be held inplace by a suitable pair of projections 42 and 44 inserted throughpunched holes in the puzzle sheet. As another alternate, a rectangularrecess (not shown) may be formed in the platform to receive the sheet.Other combinations or equivalents of these may be used as desired. Thepuzzle sheets can be placed in a group onto the platform and removed oneby one during play, or may be interchanged successively.

During the playing process, the covers 22 are pivoted around therespective rod, for example, rod 16 (FIG. 3) by pressing the outer endthereof. As the cover 22 pivots (here counterclockwise) around rod 16,the informationbearing tab retained on the plate 24 is revealed toenable observation of the material imprinted thereon (see tabs 3 and 17in FIG. 1, and also FIG. 4). Further rotation of the cover causes theinner back surface thereof to contact the lower corner 23 of plate 24(FIG. 4). Still further rotation of the cover causes plate 24 to rotatecounterclockwise away from the platform. It may be made so that when theplate 24 is moved-to the position illustrated in FIG. 5, it falls of itsown accord to reveal a portion of the puzzle positioned on platform 11.

The information to be correlated between the first row of elementsmounted on the left side of the board and the second row of elementsmounted on the right side of the board may be chosen from any particularfield of knowledge. In FfG. 6 one illustration of these is shown. Itwill be seen that specific names on the tabs in the first columncorrelate with specific names on the tabs in the second column, e.g.Mary and Joseph, David and Jonathon, Jonah and Whale, etc.

. The puzzle sheet is of the visual type and usually concerns the samefield of knowledge. it may illustrate words, pictures and letters, whichindicate a city, an event, or a character. in sheet. 50, for example,the characters of Shadrach, Meshach,.Abednego are depicted in puzzleform (i.e. shade rack, met shack, and a bed knee go).

As stated, any field of knowledge may be applied to the puzzle. Asanother example, in FIG. 7 matters of geography are involved. Here thecapitols of states are arranged on the tabs to be inserted in the rightrow or column, thereby enabling correlation between the two. The puzzle52 is a map of the lower peninsula of Michigan with certain citieswhich, when uncovered, provide clues to the guessing of the statecovered by the tabs.

Insead of ordinary puzzle sheets, score sheets may be used under thetabs. Thus, referring to FIG. 8, as tabs are uncovered on both sides ofthe game, scores of 4+4 or 5-2 or the like maybe uncovered.

Playing of the Game Before the game is started, a particular field ofknowledge is chosen. Someone other than the players inserts thecorrelated tabs in the plates and inserts a puzzle sheet under the tabholders. The first player then uncovers one information-bearing plate inthe left row, and one in the right row by rotating the covers of each.If the two he has chosen are not directly correlative, he closes thecovers again for the next player. The next player likewise uncovers two.As soon as a correlation is made between one on the left row and one onthe right row, that player is allowed to pivot the cover further tocause the plates themselves to rotate and reveal small sections of thepuzzle. He then has the privilege of trying to guess from the smallportion of the puzzle visible what the answer might be. For example,with the puzzle sheet of FIG. 6, he has to guess the three Biblecharacters times. With the puzzle sheet of FIG. 7, he has to guess thatthe map of Michigan is depicted. Of course, as more and morecorrelations are made, more of the puzzle becomes progressively revealedcausing its solution to be simpler.

The playing of this game repeatedly drills the names and thecorrelations into the players minds. Of course, instead of mere names,other more sophisticated correlations may be made. For example, the wordporton may be found in the left column with its definition placedsomewhere in the right column. Or the name Nasser may appear in the leftcolumn with its correlative of President of the United Arab Republicappearing in the right hand column. For pre-schoolers, the informationmay simply constitute colors, symbols, or the like. These are merely afew of the many variations possible. Others within the spirit of thisinvention will readily occur to those studying this specification. Thegame structure may also be modified in various ways Within the inventiveconcept. In fact, the invention may be adapted in various ways toelectrical operation, if desired, without departing from the broadestteaching of the invention. For example, correlative plates on oppositesides may, when rota-ted, close a pair of switches in electrical serieswith each other to indicate by lighting of a bulb that the proper choicehas been made.

Thus, the invention is not to be limited to the illustrative formpresented, but only by the scope of the appended claims and thereasonable equivalents thereto.

I claim:

1. A game comprising: a visual sheet bearing platform means; a printedpuzzle sheet on said platform means; a plurality of information-bearingtabs mounted on said platform in a manner to individually cover aportion of said sheet and collectively cover all of said sheet so thatthe printed portions of said sheet are normally completely covered; eachof said tabs being movable to a position uncovering its respectiveportion to progressively uncover said sheet and disclose its portion ofsaid sheet; each of said tabs bearing information thereon correspondingwith information on another tab, whereby matching of information canoccur, and cover means for each of said tabs capable of hiding theinformation borne thereby, Whereby players, when uncoveringcorresponding tabs, can move the tabs to uncover .the respectiveportions for viewing information thereon.

2. A game comprising: first and second rows of information bearingelements; said first elements bearing items of information correspondingto items of information borne by said second elements; cover means forsaid elements by which selected ones of said elements may be uncoveredto reveal the items of information thereon; when corresponding items areuncovered, the elements hearing such being movable; a sheet receivingmeans underlying all of said elements and capable of being revealedportion by portion as elements are moved; and a printed puzzle sheet onsaid sheet receiving means with all printed portions of said sheet beingnormally completely covered by said information bearing elements andbeing uncovered when said elements are moved, whereby a player, whenuncovering corresponding items of information on elements in the firstand second rows, can

.move the elements to expose respective portions of the puzzle sheet toreveal information thereon.

3; A game comprising: a puzzle sheet supporting means; a printed puzzlesheet on said supporting means; a first plurality of information-bearingelements movably mounted to said supporting means adjacent one side ofsaid sheet and capable of being moved from a first position coveringpart of said sheet to a second position uncovering said part; a secondplurality of information-bearing elements movably mounted to saidsupporting means adjacent the opposite side of said sheet and capable ofbeing moved from a first position covering a second part of said sheetto a second position uncovering said second part; said first and secondplurality of information bearing elements normally completely coveringthe printed portions of the puzzle sheet; the information on respectiveones of said first plurality of information bearing elementscorresponding to the information on respective ones of said secondplurality of information bearing elements so that matching thereof canoccur; a first and second plurality of cover elements movably mountedabove said first and second plurality of information-bearing elements;said cover elements being movable from a first position covering saidinformation to a second position uncovering said information, wherebyselected ones of said first and second information-bearing elementsbearing corresponding information may be matched, and when matched maybe moved to uncover portions of said puzzle sheet to reveal informationthere on.

4. A game comprising: a support means capable of supporting a puzzlesheet; a puzzle sheet on said support means; rod elements mounted onopposite sides of said support means; a first plurality ofinformation-bearing elements mounted on said rod elements; each of saidinformation-bearing elements being pivotal to a position adjacent saidplatform and puzzle sheet to cover a portion of said sheet, and to asecond position away from said platform'and sheet to uncover saidportion; respective pairs of said information bearing elements bearingcorresponding items of information; a second plurality of pivotal coverelements bearing identifying indicia; each of said second plurality ofcover elements being pivotal from a first position covering theinformation on one of said first elements to a position uncovering saidinformation, whereby a player, with matching of correspondinginformation-bearing elements by uncovering them with pivoting of saidcover elements. may pivot said first elements to progressively uncoverrespective portions of said puzzle sheet to reveal information thereon.

5. A game structure comprising: a. platform capable of removablysupporting a sheet; a puzzle sheet on said platform; rod elementsmounted adjacent opposite sides of and slightly above said platform; aplurality of plates pivotally mounted on said rod elements; said plateson formation bearing tabs being corresponding to each other; 7

and each of said plates having movable cover means for hiding saidinformation when desired, whereby a player may shift respective pairs ofcover means to reveal information on the tabs thereunder, and withdiscovery of a pair of corresponding information tabs, may pivot saidplates on said rod elements to reveal respective portions of said puzzlesheet and the respective information portions thereon.

6. The game structure in claim 5 wherein said retaining means comprisesa pair of wall elements on opposite sides of each plate and definingmutually facing tab receiving grooves.

7. The game structure in claim 5 wherein said cover means is pivotallymounted on said rod elements.

8. The game structure in claim 5 wherein said rod elements comprise asingle rod on each side of said platform, and wherein the individualplates and their respective cover means are both pivotally mounted onthe same general portion of the same rod.

9. The game structure in claim 8 wherein each of said cover means isassociated with its respective plate to enable its pivotal movement in afirst position covering the plate adjacent said platform, to a secondposition uncovering said plate still adjacent said platform, and to athird position causing rotative movement of said plate away from saidplatform due to an operative engagement with said plate.

Bertram July 22, 1913 Bachman Oct. 3, 1961

1. A GAME COMPRISING: A VISUAL SHEET BEARING PLATFORM MEANS; A PRINTEDPUZZLE SHEET ON SAID PLATFORM MEANS; A PLURALITY OF INFORMATION-BEARINGTABS MOUNTED ON SAID PLATFORM IN A MANNER TO INDIVIDUALLY COVER APORTION OF SAID SHEET AND COLLECTIVELY COVER ALL OF SAID SHEET SO THATTHE PRINTED PORTIONS OF SAID SHEET ARE NORMALLY COMPLETELY COVERED; EACHOF SAID TABS BEING MOVABLE TO A POSITION UNCOVERING ITS RESPECTIVEPORTION TO PROGRESSIVELY UNCOVER SAID SHEET AND DISCLOSE ITS PORTION OFSAID SHEET; EACH OF SAID TABS BEARING INFORMATION THEREON CORRESPONDINGWITH INFORMATION ON ANOTHER TAB, WHEREBY MATCHING OF INFORMATION CANOCCUR, AND COVER MEANS FOR EACH OF SAID TABS CAPABLE OF HIDING THEINFORMATION BORNE THEREBY, WHEREBY PLAYERS, WHEN UNCOVERINGCORRESPONDING TABS, CAN